Abstract
Nociceptin (known also as orphanin FQ) is the most recently discovered member of the endogenous opioid peptide family, albeit nearly 15 years ago. Nociceptin renders or influences many behavioral, psychological and neurobiological processes, including memory, anxiety, stress and reward. Since its discovery, results of a steady stream of studies have suggested that endogenous nociceptin might be involved in responses to addictive drugs, and that targeting the nociceptin system may be beneficial in treating addictions. The current review summarizes and critically appraises those studies, particularly those that point to an application in treating alcoholism. Overall, most studies suggest that the endogenous nociceptin system has a physiological role in mediating or regulating behavioral responses to alcohol, and that activating nociceptin receptors suppresses ongoing alcohol consumption or reinstatement of responding for alcohol. These findings encourage the development of therapies targeted at the nociceptin system for the treatment of alcoholism in humans, though a minor number of studies showing continuous activation of the nociceptin receptor can produce increased, rather than reduced, alcohol consumption emphasize the necessity of further investigation.
Keywords: Nociceptin, orphanin FQ, opioids, alcohol, addiction, alcoholism
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: The Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ System as a Target for Treating Alcoholism
Volume: 9 Issue: 1
Author(s): Niall P. Murphy
Affiliation:
Keywords: Nociceptin, orphanin FQ, opioids, alcohol, addiction, alcoholism
Abstract: Nociceptin (known also as orphanin FQ) is the most recently discovered member of the endogenous opioid peptide family, albeit nearly 15 years ago. Nociceptin renders or influences many behavioral, psychological and neurobiological processes, including memory, anxiety, stress and reward. Since its discovery, results of a steady stream of studies have suggested that endogenous nociceptin might be involved in responses to addictive drugs, and that targeting the nociceptin system may be beneficial in treating addictions. The current review summarizes and critically appraises those studies, particularly those that point to an application in treating alcoholism. Overall, most studies suggest that the endogenous nociceptin system has a physiological role in mediating or regulating behavioral responses to alcohol, and that activating nociceptin receptors suppresses ongoing alcohol consumption or reinstatement of responding for alcohol. These findings encourage the development of therapies targeted at the nociceptin system for the treatment of alcoholism in humans, though a minor number of studies showing continuous activation of the nociceptin receptor can produce increased, rather than reduced, alcohol consumption emphasize the necessity of further investigation.
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Cite this article as:
Murphy P. Niall, The Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ System as a Target for Treating Alcoholism, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2010; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710790966713
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710790966713 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
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